When planning for your new house or renovating an older one, start to think TROPICS.

It is usually very warm to hot here in the Yucatan and it is also humid, as a result the last thing you want to do, is make it hotter in your house or add more moisture. Since Propane stoves give off water vapour as part of the combustion process, as well as a lot of heat, a better idea is to cook outside if possible..

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From my experience, visitors are often more comfortable pitching in to BBQ, rather than taking over in the kitchen, so put them at ease and enjoy what they can bring to your table.

The outdoor kitchen, if combined with a terrace, also makes a great place to socialized and serve dinner in the cool air. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just functional. You can use propane or a charcoal grill and in addition all you need is a prep area and maybe a sink to wash up.

Talavera tile and propane BBQ

Beach food at its best

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When we use the word patio or terrace, we usually think of ground level areas, in front of or behind a house. But in the Yucatan most houses also have a large flat area on the roof. This roof top area is perfect for a terrace. Being higher in elevation means it gets more of the breeze to keep you cool. The other bonus of using your roof, is that you still have ground level property to build a pool or other features. All you need is a simple set of stairs and some form of railing or balustrade to keep guest from falling off. Add a shade palapa and you are all set to sit in the shade and enjoy the breeze.

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Although living at the beach has its benefits, there is one drawback. Sand gets everywhere, especially if you have sand next to a pool area. Pools are magnets for sand, which makes the pool hard to keep clean and is hard on pool cleaning equipment as well. Our latest terrace was designed to keep the sand out, while providing an area for lounging. The terrace is finished in Roman Slate stamped concrete with contrasting highlights. A pool side stone wall blends into the terrace area and functions as a sand trap and wind break. The end result is a nice combination of utility and protection combined with a stunning look.

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